Noticed some odd symptoms- trans starting to slip alittle going into 1st gear (electronic auto trans), and at the same time, the engine coolant gauge going berserk. Coolant vanishing, but couldn't find the leak.Didn't seem to be actually overheating until Saturday, when it overheated and expired on the Turnpike as I was on my way to go flying... grrr... perfect day....coolant steam coming out of water pump; ah yes, the seal is blown. funny, though- not a peep out ofthat thing; they usually make a hell of a racket when they go.
Oh well, I was going to bring it in for service on a long list of minor items anyway; needs to be brought up to snuff for inspection (a little overdue)... and amazingly, the first towtruck (flatbed) showed up in 15 minutes. He charged $80 to get me off the highway, so I decided to call a contractor on my roadside rescue list for 3 free miles and what I hoped would be a reasonable fee for the 10+ miles back to Newark. He showed up in about 1/2 hour... this is unheard of!! Forty bucks for 17 miles; much better. Total for towing was less than what the airplane rental time would've cost. But: note to self: renew AAA membership, idiot!! But of course, even AAA cannot get you towed off the Turnpike...
But of course I am not done spending money, here... the garage called yesterday with an estimate. Seems everything I thought was wrong was correct: water pump shot, trans pan is leaking, coolant temp sensor and thermostat should probably be replaced. there is still the possibility that the radiator's bad, which could cause intermingling of coolant and trans fluid (ulp!); they have to do the above work first to confirm that. Got my fingers crossed.
At any rate, these guys are OK. I've used them before (for the old Volvo), and I trust them. The bill for thermostat, sensor, water pump, new trans pan gasket, new valve cover gasket, new air filter, new plugs, replacing a broken stud on each rear wheel, and new front brake pads: $725 with labor. That's not too shabby, considering how much disassembly is required to get at all that stuff.
The bad news? To pass inspection, the exhaust manifold (cracked) has to be replaced. Can't be found used, Can't be fixed (broken bolt where it attached to down pipe)and the best price they (and I) could find for the part was $320. Crap! Thought I'd seen them cheaper, but can only find cheap ones for the '95 model. Urgh.
I have to be philosophical... I've neglected this car; it could've been much worse (new transmission? Blown head gasket?). She's overdue for some pampering; I've done all the work on it myself the last 5 years, saving tons of money in the process.
And I have the money, although it'd be nice to spend it on many other things...
I could do a lot of this work myself, but I'm too busy and sick of working under it in the parking lot. always seems to rain when I have that thing in pieces... later this summer I'll probably throw some new shocks on it and maybe get a new soft-top for it. Then new tires before the next snow, and that should hold it... until the valves start to go...
:'( :'(